Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SR)

Mumbai, Jun 29: In a noble initiative that will help a section of society that has been ignored for a long time, the Maharashtra government has set up a unique project called ‘halfway homes’ to help recovered patients from the mental hospital to prepare for life outside the facility and in the community. Public health minister Eknath Shinde, on Friday, made the announcement in the legislative council.

Shinde told TOI that the purpose of ‘halfway home’ is to provide a comfortable living for people who get discharged from the mental hospital. “By setting up a transitional living facility within the hospital premises itself, the recovered patients will be kept in the facility for a few months before they are discharged from hospital. Through this we intend to help them integrate into the mainstream,” he added.

Shinde was reacting to a suggestion put forth by NCP MLC Hemant Takale in the upper house with regard to the need for proper treatment for mentally ill people from rural areas and setting up treatment facilities for mental illness in accordance with developed countries. Accepting the suggestion, Shinde said the government would form a committee to study facilities in other countries.

The health minister also pointed out the requirement of more psychiatrists in the state. “We need more psychiatrists in the state. The government has already started awareness programmes in old age homes, schools and jails as well as in counselling centres,” added Shinde.

As of now, Maharashtra has only four mental hospitals in Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Ratnagiri with over 3,000 patients. Currently India has 4,000 psychiatrists, including 1,000 from Maharashtra.